Adventure Bike Rider Forum

vRSG60 wrote:It's actually the opposite. To keep it warm & dry when I'm not there.

Then an oil greenhouse heater. (thumbs)

But, why do you want the garage warm when no one is there?

Secondly, is it well insulated already? If not, then it is of questionable use to provide low temp heat...

You could get a 12V dehumidifier that will run on a car battery and a BFO solar panel for charging?

Some old carpet underlay and old carpet on top. Will go a long way. But I reckon with no power etc you'll have to be inventive, and invent a power supply (thumbs)
It must be secure with other garages or buildings etc. Can't you piggy back off a friendly neighbour or the like. I expect you've already thought of that.
Excuse the pun.....I'll get my coat :whistle:

One of these?

How about a Parasene greenhouse heater? But without adiquate ventilation I'd be concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning etc, not to mention the effect condensation may have on the vehicles inside.
Though I do wonder how your going to manage to work in the garage on these dark evenings without some source of electric light, from either mains, battery or a generator

As mentioned earlier a carpet might be worth a try. If nothing else it makes fettling more comfy.
I'd be dubious about leaving an unattended firey heat (and condensation) source next to the bike. Cold won't harm the bike.

I would be using a dehumidifier rather than a heater (gas or paraffin), I have a gas bottle woodburner in mine to use when I'm working there and it does dry the atmosphere. It's the moisture in the air that is your enemy, the idea using a battery powered dehumidifier with solar charging is the way to go I'd say.

I wouldn't use a carpet because it will absorb moisture and retain it for future destruction of your shiney bits

SteveR wrote:
But, why do you want the garage warm when no one is there?

Because the bike is getting damp, and it's for this reason alone. I don't work in the garage I just leave the bike there. It doesn't need to be warm as in living room warm, just take the edge of the cold & damp.

The garage is a mile away and yes, it's a shit garage and no, there is nowhere nearer my house to put it.

The idea looks a non starter, thanks for the replies.

This'd work apart from not being able to use my ground anchor!

I tried a paraffin heater once, a mad idea, had it burning perfect,no smoke,warmed up nice, but through the night it was starved of oxygen as there was not enough ventilation,started smoking, which covered all me bikes and everything else in there in a thin layer of grey soot, nightmare to clean off. I'm still picking stuff up in there now and getting me hands black. Its also a potential fire risk. Stay away from naked flames if possible.

Perfectly you need electric, if its a concrete type building line it with wood, it will take the moisture out. Park the bike on a sheet of ply also (thumbs)

If its just to protect the bike get a good quality thermal insulated bike cover as it will keep any damp from settling on the bike with added security of hiding the bike from view.

Something like http://www.nippynormans.com/f650stf650c ... door-cover